A Message from the Superintendent (May 14, 2021)

May 14, 2021

Dear Families and Staff,

We are in the homestretch of quite a year, and it is fulfilling to have so many students back on campus for the (almost) full school day. We are learning from our experiences and will use that to our advantage as we plan for the fall.

Last night, we had an opportunity for us to pause and reflect, thanks to the generous support of the Winnetka Public Schools Foundation. Our families and staff enjoyed a session with Dr. Catherine Sanderson, Chair of Psychology of Amherst College and author of The Positive Shift. Dr. Sanderson affirmed the importance of our continued resilience, positivity, and gratitude in light of the challenges we continue to face. Thank you to the WPSF for this opportunity.

COVID-19 Cases in the District:

This week we experienced a slight uptick in COVID-19 cases throughout the District. As we head into the final weeks of our school year, please continue to be mindful of taking safety precautions for your family so we can maximize our in-person learning experiences and most importantly keep our school community safe. We know it has been a long year - and June 4 is just three weeks away. Your continued partnership is deeply appreciated.

CDC & Health Mitigation Updates

The Illinois Department of Public Health and Illinois School Board of Education are reviewing the latest CDC guidance regarding individuals who are vaccinated and mask usage to determine how this applies to schools. In addition, Illinois enters the Bridge Phase today. We understand that guidance for this phase for schools is forthcoming but we have not received it at the time of this writing. We will provide updated guidance to our school community when it is available.

Vaccination Opportunities for Individuals age 12 or older:

The New Trier Township school districts collaborated to offer two COVID-19 vaccination clinics at New Trier High School this week. Additional opportunities will be shared as they become available. In the meantime, you may visit this site from Cook County to learn about other opportunities in the area.

Bridge Forward Plan to the 2021-2022 School Year:

Updates from the Departments of Innovation, Teaching and Learning (ITL) and Student Services (DSS)

Weekly updates on the Bridge Forward plan to the 2021-2022 school year are now shared by the Departments of Innovation, Teaching and Learning and Student Services. These updates highlight key areas that matter to our community as we move forward from the past year of the pandemic. This week's update is dedicated to Professional Learning.

Have a fantastic weekend!

Sincerely,

Dr. Trisha Kocanda

Superintendent

The Winnetka Public Schools community empowers every student to flourish in

an innovative, experiential environment. We support and challenge all learners

to actively engage in continual growth and achievement to make

a meaningful difference in the world.